Career comparison
Landscaping Supervisor vs. Pesticide Applicator
Side-by-side pay, training, growth and day-to-day duties to help you choose between two related careers.
Landscaping supervisors earn more at the median ($58,430 vs. $46,340), while pesticide applicators usually get to work faster (1–3 months + license exam of training). Landscaping supervisors lead landscaping and grounds crews to deliver great outdoor spaces. Pesticide applicators apply fertilizers and pesticides safely to lawns, crops and rights-of-way.
Pay data: BLS OEWS, May 2025 · Outlook: BLS 2025–35 · Checked October 15, 2026
| Landscaping Supervisor | Pesticide Applicator | |
|---|---|---|
| Median pay | $58,430 ($28.09/hr) | $46,340 ($22.28/hr) |
| Pay range (10th–90th) | $40,560 – $85,650 | $35,570 – $61,420 |
| Job growth, 2025–35 | +4.0% (about as fast as average) | +3.9% (about as fast as average) |
| Openings per year | 23,900 | 3,300 |
| Typical entry education | High school diploma or equivalent | High school diploma or equivalent |
| Training time | Under 5 years of experience | 1–3 months + license exam |
| Key credential | NALP Landscape Industry Certified Manager | State commercial applicator license |
| Work setting | Supervisors work outdoors at job sites and in trucks, with some office time for scheduling and estimates.. | Applicators work outdoors in neighborhoods, fields, golf courses and along roads, wearing protective equipment.. |
What each job does
Landscaping Supervisor
- Schedule and assign crew work
- Train and supervise workers
- Inspect work quality
- Order materials and plants
- Maintain equipment and vehicles
Pesticide Applicator
- Identify weeds, insects and diseases
- Select and mix products
- Calibrate spray and spreader equipment
- Apply treatments safely
- Keep application records
How they’re similar
Both careers involve working outdoors and hands-on work. Both are part of the agriculture, landscaping & animal care field, so many skills transfer between them.
Which should you choose?
Choose landscaping supervisor if…
- I like leading crews
- I enjoy outdoor work
- I’m organized
Choose pesticide applicator if…
- I like working outdoors
- I follow instructions carefully
- I like independent route work
Still torn? Take the Landscaping Supervisor fit quiz and the Pesticide Applicator fit quiz, or the full Career Match Quiz.
Quick comparisons
Which pays more, landscaping supervisor or pesticide applicator?
Landscaping Supervisors earn more at the median: $58,430 versus $46,340 for pesticide applicators, based on BLS May 2025 data.
Which takes less time to train for?
Pesticide Applicators typically train faster (1–3 months + license exam) than landscaping supervisors (Under 5 years of experience).
Which career has better job growth?
BLS projects landscaping supervisors to grow +4.0% from 2025–35, compared with +3.9% for pesticide applicators.